The Holy See Pavilion of Vatican City is set to present a powerful sound-led exhibition at the upcoming Venice Biennale, bringing together an exceptional lineup of musicians and artists including FKA Twigs, Dev Hynes, Brian Eno, and Patti Smith.
A Sonic Meditation on Listening
Titled The Ear is the Eye of the Soul, the exhibition is curated by Hans Ulrich Obrist and Ben Vickers. It draws inspiration from Hildegard of Bingen—the 12th-century Benedictine nun celebrated for her music, poetry, and spiritual writings.
Framed as a “sonic prayer,” the exhibition invites visitors into a contemplative act of listening, positioning sound as a medium for reflection, connection, and transcendence.
Two Venues, One Immersive Experience
The Mystical Garden, Cannaregio
Located in the Discalced Carmelite convent garden in Cannaregio, this site hosts newly commissioned sound works by Twigs, Eno, and filmmaker Jim Jarmusch, each channeling Hildegard’s chants and visual language.
A site-specific instrument by Soundwalk Collective responds to the ambient sounds of the 17th-century surroundings, while wind chime installations by Precious Okoyomon introduce a delicate, ever-shifting sonic layer.
Castello Complex
Across Venice in Castello, the exhibition reinterprets medieval scriptoriums—spaces historically used for copying manuscripts—through a contemporary lens.
At its core is the final work by Alexander Kluge, a monumental 12-part film and image installation spanning three rooms. Nearby, Tatiana Bilbao presents a new monastic architectural intervention alongside a living archive of multilingual texts.
A Constellation of Voices
The pavilion extends beyond sound into a broader dialogue of art and spirituality, featuring contributions from artists including Otobong Nkanga, Ilda David, Kali Malone, Moor Mother, and Holly Herndon with Mat Dryhurst.
A Contemporary Spiritual Encounter
Running from May 9 to November 22, The Ear is the Eye of the Soul transforms Venice into a landscape of listening—where historical memory, sacred space, and contemporary sound converge. Through its layered installations, the Holy See Pavilion offers a rare, meditative counterpoint to the visual intensity of the Biennale, inviting audiences to slow down and truly hear.